Electronic still camera, instant printer and instant film

ABSTRACT

Image data obtained through an image sensor is written in a memory. When printing an image, a printing head is driven in accordance with the image data read out from the memory in a line sequential fashion, and is synchronously moved in a sub scan direction, thereby exposing the instant film line by line. The image appears on the exposed instant film as a developing solution is developed by developing rollers while the instant film is advanced out through the developing rollers. Alternatively, the printing head is driven synchronously with the instant film being advanced. Thereby an image is printed at one sub scanning without the need for moving the printing head. The printing head is provided with an array of three color light emitting elements, and three color light beams are simultaneously projected onto the instant film. The electronic still camera is automatically set in an imaging mode when a power switch is turned on, and is switched to a display mode or a print mode as soon as a display mode key or a print mode key is operated. After being switched to the display mode, the electronic still camera is quickly switched to the imaging mode if only a shutter release button is operated.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention relates to an electronic still camera thatphotoelectrically obtains image data through an image sensor and recordsthe image data in a memory in a digital form, and more particularly toan electronic still camera having a printer incorporated thereinto,which makes a hard copy of an image from the image data written in thememory. The present invention also relates to an instant printer that iscompact and portable, or is able to be incorporated into a camera, andan instant film for use with the instant printer.

BACKGROUND ARTS

Portable electronic still cameras are widely used, which convert anoptical image of a subject to an electric image signal through a CCD(charge-coupled device) image sensor or the like, convert the imagesignal to digital image data, and write the image data in a memory. Thememory is capable of storing several tens of frames of image data, andit is possible to read out the image data therefrom for displaying orreproducing the subject image on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panelthat is mounted to the camera body, or on external apparatuses such as amonitor CRT and a personal computer.

As the memory for recording the image data therein is generally used aDRAM (dynamic random access memory) which is accessible at high speed,and is usually called a flash memory. Because the flash memory is ableto delete or rewrite the image data, it is easy to delete unnecessaryimage data from the memory or revise the memory with new image data.Using the recording medium repeatedly is a feature of the electronicstill camera that is advantageous over those cameras using photographicfilm. In addition to the flash memory or other built-in memories likehard discs, it is possible to use a card memory or a flexible magneticsheet that is removably attachable to the electronic still camera.

Meanwhile, video printers have made it possible to make a hard copy ofan image of a subject on the basis of image data written in the flashmemory or the like. The video printers include Laser printer, thermaltransfer printer, ink-jet printer and so forth. To make a hard copy, theimage data read out from the flash memory of the electronic still camerais directly transferred to these printers, or is written in a recordingmedium like a card memory or a magnetic sheet, and then read out by theprinters from the recording medium.

Since the conventional video printers mainly use heat energy forprinting, they consume certain amount of electric power. Besides, theprinter body is so large that it is unhandy to carry about. Therefore,not being able to get a hard copy of a photographed image instantly isdisadvantage to the conventional electronic still camera.

In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is toprovide a portable electronic still camera having a printing deviceintegrated therein that facilitates making a hard copy of a photographedimage instantly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an instant printerfor printing an image on an instant film at a high speed on the basis ofdigital image data, that is so small and consume less electric powerthat it is handy to carry about or for integration into a camera.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an instant filmthat is convenient for use in the instant printer of the presentinvention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An electronic still camera according to the present invention iscomprised of an imaging device for obtaining electronic image data froman optical image of a subject; memory means for recording image datatherein; a printing device for printing an image on an instant filmcontaining a processing solution therein, the printing device comprisinga printing head which is elongated in a main scan direction, a headmoving mechanism for moving the printing head in a sub scan directionperpendicular to the main scan direction, and a head driver for drivingthe printing head on the basis of one frame of image data read out fromthe memory means in a line sequential fashion to expose the instant filmline by line while the printing head is moved in the sub scan direction;and a pair of developing rollers for advancing the instant film afterexposure out of a camera body while developing the processing solutioninside the exposed instant film.

Using the instant film as the recording medium makes it possible to makea hard copy of an image photographed by the electronic still camerawithout the need for heat energy but with a low electric power. Becausethe printing device built in the camera scans the instant film with theprinting head in a line sequential fashion while reading out the imagedata line by line from the memory device, the mechanical construction aswell as the electrical construction of the printing device can besimple.

While conventional instant cameras consume the instant film at everyshutter release operation regardless of whether the consequentphotograph looks good or poor, the electronic still camera of thepresent invention allows to confirm the quality of the photographedimage on the basis of the image data written in the memory andthereafter decide whether the photographed image is to be printed ornot. Therefore, waste of instant film is avoidable.

According to the present invention, an instant printer is comprised of afilm advancing device including developing rollers for developing theprocessing solution in an exposed instant film; a printing head locatednear and before the developing rollers in the film advancing direction,the printing head having an array of light emitting elements arranged ina main scan direction perpendicular to the film advancing direction; anda head driver for driving the light emitting elements in accordance withdigital image data fed to the head driver in a line sequential fashion,synchronously with the film advancing device advancing the instant film,thereby to expose the instant film line by line.

Making use of the film advancing through the developing rollers for subscanning, the printing head does not need to move in the sub scandirection. Therefore, it takes shorter time for printing, and theconstruction is simplified. Although the film advancing speed is likelyto fluctuate in a time period while the processing solution isdeveloped, if timing of light emission of the printing head iscontrolled in accordance with the film advancing speed, it is possibleto reduce unexpected variations in density and color of the printedimage that may be caused by the advancing speed fluctuations. Byproviding an instant film with a track for detecting advancing speed ofthe instant film, it is easy to detect the film advancing speed, andcontrol the light emission timing in accordance with the film advancingspeed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electronic still camera havingan instant printer incorporated thereinto, according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the electronic still camera shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating a layout of the interior ofthe electronic still camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the instant printer incorporated intothe electronic still camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the interior of aprinting head of the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electric construction of theelectronic still camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the overall operation of theelectronic still camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an electronic still camera havingan instant printer incorporated thereinto, according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the electronic still camera shownin FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout of the interiorof the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the instant printer incorporated intothe electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an electric construction of theelectronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence responsive toa power source being turned on, in the electronic still camera shown inFIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating respective displaypatterns on a data display panel of the electronic still camera shown inFIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen displayed forselecting a template on the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen displayed aftera template is decided on the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence in a displaymode of the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen displayed whenthe electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8 is switched to the displaymode;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an operation sequence in a printmode of the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an electronic still camera havingan instant printer incorporated thereinto, according to a thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a layout of the interiorof the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the electronic stillcamera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the electronic still camera shownin FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the instant printer incorporated intothe electronic still camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a printer head unit of the electronicstill camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an electric construction of theelectronic still camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIGS. 27(A) and 27(B) are timing charts illustrating an operation forcontrolling timing of light emission in accordance with variations infilm advancing speed in the electronic still camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating the overall operation of theelectronic still camera shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 29 is a vertical sectional view illustrating another embodiment ofprinting head;

FIG. 30 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a further embodimentof printing head;

FIG. 31 is a vertical sectional view illustrating still anotherembodiment of printing head;

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram illustrating essential parts of anembodiment wherein the film advancing speed is detected by use of aninstant film that is provided with an advancing speed detection track;and

FIG. 33 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an embodiment whereinan instant printer of the invention is mounted in an instant camera.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic still cameraaccording to a first embodiment of the invention has a camera lens 3 anda flash-emitting window 4 which are formed in the upper front surface ofa camera body 2. A shutter release button 6 is located on the top of agrip 5. When the shutter release button 6 is pressed, an image is takenas a photograph through the camera lens 3. On one side of the cameralens 3 are disposed a light projector window 7 and a light receiverwindow 8 of an auto-focussing device for measuring a subject distance ofa subject to be photographed in accordance with a technique of opticaltriangulation. When the shutter release button 6 is pressed, focusing ofthe camera lens 3 is accomplished automatically prior to thephotography.

There is a film exit 10 formed as a slot in a top face of the camerabody 2. When printing operation is effected, an exposed instant film isejected through the film exit 10. A pair of developing rollers aredisposed in a position inwards from the film exit 10. When the exposedinstant film is moved between the developing rollers, processingsolution is spread. A positive image appears on the instant film afterone minute to several minutes.

To produce a hard copy of an image in the electronic still camera, isused an instant film of the mono-sheet type which is well-known in theart of photography. The mono-sheet type instant film has been widelyused, and mainly consists of a photosensitive sheet, an image receivingsheet and a solution pod containing processing solution. Thephotosensitive sheet is first exposed to create a latent imagephotochemically, and is tightly fitted on the image receiving sheet. Theprocessing solution is spread between the two sheets while they arepressed to each other. Thereby a positive image is transferred to theimage receiving sheet. There is a film pack constituted of a plasticcase, which contains ten sheets of instant films overlaid on oneanother. The camera body 2 of the electronic still camera is loaded withthe film pack.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pack loading door 12 is pivotally mounted to theback side of the camera body 2 through a hinge 11. The pack loading door12 is normally locked in the closed position. A knob 13 is operated toopen the pack loading door 12 for the purpose of inserting or removingthe film pack. A counter window 14 indicates the number of instant filmsexposed. An LCD panel 15 is incorporated into the pack loading door 12.The LCD panel 15 displays an image of a photographic subject to bepicked up through the camera lens 3 in a real time fashion, constitutingan electronic viewfinder.

A control panel 16 is disposed below the pack loading door 12. Thecontrol panel 16 has various keys, including a mode changer key forswitching between an imaging mode and a display mode, a frame selectorkey, a print start key, a deletion button for deleting image data,connector terminals for inputting and outputting image data with anexternal instrument, and a switching key for the connector terminals.

Inside the camera body 2, as shown in FIG. 3, an imaging unit 18including a CCD image sensor is disposed behind the camera lens 3, andthe developing rollers 21, a developing mechanism 22 for driving thedeveloping rollers 21, a circuit board 23 for the control panel 16, anda head moving mechanism 24 are arranged around a chamber for loading afilm pack 20 therein. Also, a developing motor 25 for activating thedeveloping mechanism 22, a power source battery 26, e.g. a rechargeablelithium battery, and a flash device 27 are mounted.

Among those elements, the developing rollers 21 and the developingmechanism 22 may have the same construction as those used inconventional instant cameras, e.g. those disclosed in JPA 4-194832, andoperate in the same way as conventional. That is, the developing rollers21 and the developing mechanism 22 cooperate for advancing an instantfilm 30 out of the film pack 20 after the film 30 is exposed, whiledeveloping or spreading the processing solution inside the instant film30.

The developing mechanism 22 includes an advance claw and a mechanism formoving the advance claw, as well-known in the art. When the developingmotor 25 rotates, the advance claw is actuated to push up the bottomedge of the exposed instant film 30, until the top edge of the instantfilm 30 comes in between the developing rollers 21. After the instantfilm 30 comes in between the developing rollers 21, since the developingrollers 21 have started rotation then, the instant film 30 is movedupwards by the developing rollers 21. There is a solution pod 30 adisposed along the top edge of the instant film 30 for containingprocessing solution. The developing rollers 21 are biased by a spring inthe direction to close to each other. Thus, the solution pod 30 a isbroken to spread the processing solution between the photosensitivesheet and the image receiving sheet, while the instant film 30 isadvanced through the developing rollers 21.

FIG. 4 illustrates the head moving mechanism 24 and a printing head 32,which constitute an instant printer section. A longitudinal direction ofthe printing head 32 is perpendicular to the advance direction of theinstant film 30. The printing head 32 has a length equal to or greaterthan a width of the instant film 30. The head moving mechanism 24 isdriven by a scanning motor 24 a to shift the printing head 32 in thearrow direction X parallel to the advance direction of the instant film30. There are a pair of guide pins disposed on either end of theprinting head 32, which are engaged in guide grooves slidably, forpreventing the printing head 32 from leaning during the movement.Designated by 20 a is a cutout formed in the film pack 20 in a positionfor the advance claw to enter it when ejecting the instant film 30 fromthe film pack 20.

FIG. 5 shows the printing head 32 as viewed in cross section. Alight-tight housing 33 contains a fluorescent lamp 35 elongated in thelongitudinal direction of the printing head 32. Illuminating light fromthe fluorescent lamp 35 includes light components of red (R), green (G)and blue (B) colors. Another kind of light source may be used insofar asit emits printing light including those three-color light components.

A color filter 36 is placed in a path of the illuminating light from thefluorescent lamp 35. The color filter 36 includes a red pass filterportion, a green pass filter portion and a blue pass filter portion,which extend like belts in the longitudinal direction of the fluorescentlamp 35 and are arranged side by side in a perpendicular direction Y tothe fluorescent lamp 35. Any one of those filter portions is positionedin the illuminating light path of the fluorescent lamp 35 as the colorfilter 36 is moved in the direction Y in response to a filter changesignal.

The illuminating light from the fluorescent lamp 35 is passed throughthe color filter 36 and becomes printing light of any one of red, greenand blue colors. The printing light travels through an LCD array 37, amirror 38, a micro lens array 39, and a mirror 40, and is projectedthrough an opening 33 a onto the instant film 30. The micro lens array39 consists of an array of micro cylindrical lenses made of graded indextype optical fibers, called SELFOC lens (a trade name). The LCD array 37consists of micro LCD segments arranged in one line. Each one of the LCDsegments corresponds to one pixel of printing. The LCD segments of theLCD array 37 are each individually controlled to change printing densityby cutting the printing light or adjusting the transmission amount ofthe printing light. The micro lens array 39 prevents the printing lightfor each of the pixels from spreading to positions of pixels adjacent toit. There are light-shielding members suitably disposed in the housing33 so as to let only the printing light out through the opening 33 a.

FIG. 6 illustrates the circuitry of the electronic still cameraaccording to the present invention. The CCD image sensor 45 is locatedbehind the camera lens 3. When the camera lens 3 is focused, a subjectimage is formed on a photoelectric plane of the CCD image sensor 45. ACCD driver 46 drives the CCD image sensor 45 to convert the opticalsubject image photoelectrically into an electric image pick-up signal.Micro color filters of red, green and blue colors are arranged on thephotoelectric plane of the CCD image sensor 45 in a matrix. The imagepick-up signal is output color by color in a serial manner, and isamplified by an amplifier 47 at a suitable level, and converted by anA/D converter 48 into a digital form. It is to be noted that drivingoperation of the CCD driver 46 is synchronized with sampling timing ofthe A/D converter 48.

The A/D converter 48 produces digital image data from the image pick-upsignal, and feeds the image data sequentially to an image data processorcircuit 50. The image data processor circuit 50 operates for the signalprocessing of the supplied image data for white balance adjustment,gamma correction and the like. Moreover the image data processor circuit50 produces a video signal corresponding to the NTSC composite signalfrom the processed image data. The video signal is sent through a D/Aconverter 51 and an amplifier 52 to an output terminal 53 for the videosignal.

It is therefore possible to observe the subject image picked up by theCCD image sensor 45 in a continuous manner by connecting the outputterminal 53 to a home television set. The video signal from theamplifier 52 is also fed to an LCD driver 54. As the LCD driver 54drives the LCD panel 15 that is incorporated into the pack loading door12, the LCD panel 15 displays the subject image in a continuous manner.Therefore the LCD panel 15 operates as the electronic viewfinder.

A system controller 55 controls the image data processor circuit 50 andall the other electric operations of the electronic still camera. Thesystem controller 55 monitors signals from a key board 57 and a group ofexternal terminals 58 of the control panel 16 through an I/O port 56,and operates for the signal processing in accordance with the inputsignals.

A flash memory 60 is constituted of a DRAM. The flash memory 60 storesthe image data frame by frame after the image data is obtained by theimage data processor circuit 50, and has a capacity enough to storeimage data of fifty frames. A decorative data memory 61 previouslystores decorative data, which is used to modify the shape and pattern offraming lines around the subject image variously. The decorative datamemory 61 may also store decorative data for merging cartoons, marks,letters, messages and the like into a part of the subject image. In thedisplay mode, selected data pieces are transferred from the flash memory60 and the decorative data memory 61 to the image data processor circuit50, and an image composed of the image data and the decorative data readfrom the flash memory 60 and the decorative data memory 61 is displayedon the LCD panel 15.

A head driver 63 drives the printing head 32 under the control of thesystem controller 55. A line memory 64 sends the printing head 32 theimage data, which is used for controlling the respective transmittanceof the individual LCD segments 37. EEPROM 66 previously stores variouskinds of adjustment data, which are referred to by the system controller55 when the electronic still camera is operated according to apredetermined sequence.

The adjustment data is fine-adjusted to each individual camera in aninspection process after the finish of assembly of the electronic stillcamera. The adjustment data includes data related to focussing thecamera lens 3, and respective compensation data for the three colorsadapted to printing. A motor driver 65 drives the developing motor 25and the scanning motor 24 a under the control of the system controller55.

The operation of the electronic still camera having the above-describedconstruction will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When a powerswitch, which is provided on the control panel 16, is turned on, thesystem controller 55 determines the presently selected mode by a setposition of the mode changer key in the control panel 16, and proceedsto either one of the imaging mode and the display mode. In the imagingmode, the CCD image sensor 45 picks up the subject image in a continuousmanner, so the subject image is displayed as a moving image on the LCDpanel 15 serving as the electronic viewfinder.

When the shutter release button 6 is pressed, the image data of thesubject image displayed at that moment on the LCD panel 15 is written asa still image frame to the flash memory 60. By repeating the shutterrelease operation in the imaging mode, it is possible to write imagedata of at most fifty still image frames to the flash memory 60. Themaximum number of frames the flash memory 60 can store varies dependingupon the capacity of the flash memory 60.

After the image data of the maximum number of frames is written in theflash memory 60, it is possible to delete image data of unnecessaryframes from the flash memory 60 and write newly obtained image data tothe flash memory 60. These operation are effected by keying the controlpanel 16. It is also possible to write newly obtained image data in anexternal memory medium or transfer the image data from the flash memory60 to the external memory medium by connecting the external memorymedium to an output terminal of the external terminals 58.

In the display mode, a desired frame is designated by keying through thecontrol panel 16. The image data of the designated frame is sent fromthe flash memory 60 to the image data processor circuit 50, converted bythe D/A converter 51, amplified by the amplifier 52 and supplied to theLCD driver 54, which causes the LCD panel 15 to display an image of thedesignated frame. If a decorative frame pattern is designated by keyingthrough the control panel 16, the decorative frame pattern data istransferred from the decorative data memory 61 to the image dataprocessor circuit 50 in addition to the image data read transferred fromthe flash memory 60. Then, the LCD panel 15 displays a composed image ofthe subject image with the decorative frame image.

When a print key is operated after selecting the subject image and, ifnecessary, a decorative frame pattern, the system controller 55 accessesthe flash memory 60, to sequentially read out red-color image data of afirst line from among the image data of the subject image presentlydisplayed on the LCD panel 15. The red-color image data of the firstline represent densities of red pixels of the first line, and istransferred to the line memory 64. If a decorative frame pattern isdesignated, red-color image data of a first line is read out from theimage data of the decorative frame pattern stored in the decorative datamemory 61, and is transferred to the line memory 64. In those pixelswhere the image data from the decorative data memory 61 overlaps withthe image data from the flash memory 60, the former is used withpriority over the latter. In this way, the line memory 64 comes to storethe red-color image data of the first line. The system controller 55confirms that the red pass filter portion of the color filter 36 isinserted into the printing light path and that all the LCD segments 37are their light-shielding state. Then the system controller 55 turns onthe fluorescent lamp 35.

The printing head 32 is in an initial position confronted with thebottom edge of the instant film 30. The initial position is a positionto start recording the first line. The system controller 55 confirmsthat the printing head 32 is in the initial position by use of a photosensor (not shown). Then the image data of the first line is sent fromthe line memory 64 sequentially to the LCD array 37, so the respectivetransmittance densities of the LCD segments are set at valuescorresponding to the image data. In a predetermined time, the LCDsegments are reset to the light-shielding state.

The red printing light from the red pass filter portion of the colorfilter 36 travels through the LCD segments, so the instant film 30 isexposed to the red printing light of different amounts determined by thetransmittance densities of the respective LCD segments. It is to benoted that it will take a shorter time to print one line when the imagedata of one line is concurrently transferred from the line memory 64 tothe respective LCD segments of the LCD array 37, and the LCD segmentsare concurrently switched to have such transmittance densities that aredetermined by the image data.

At the conclusion of the one-line exposure to the red printing light,the scanning motor 24 a, which is a stepping motor, rotates through apredetermined angle, shifting the printing head 32 to a position of asucceeding line. Thereafter, red-color image data representative ofdensities of red pixels of the second line is transferred from the flashmemory 60 to the line memory 64. The second line is exposed to the redprinting light in a similar manner to the first line. The printing head32 is shifted toward the developing rollers 21 in a stepwise manner,while each line is exposed to the red printing light. When a final linehas been exposed to the red printing light, printing 1 of red pixels ofone frame is completed.

Then the system controller 55 sends the head driver 63 a filter changesignal, to slide the color filter 36 in the direction Y by an amount toposition the green pass filter portion in the printing light path. Thesystem controller 55 accesses the flash memory 60, serially reads outgreen-color image data representative of green pixels of the final linefrom among the image data of the subject image to be printed, andtransfers the green-color image data to the line memory 64.

Thereafter, the instant film 30 is exposed to the green printing lightin the same way as above, but in the direction from the final line tothe first line. After the completion of printing the green pixels of oneframe, the blue pass filter portion is inserted in the printing lightpath, while blue-color image data representative of blue pixels of thesubject image is read line by line from the flash memory 60. Thus, eachline is exposed to the blue printing light. After the exposure with thethree-color printing light is completed, the printing head 32 is placedin a retreat position as shown in FIG. 4, which is shifted toward thedeveloping rollers 21 from the initial position.

After the printing head 32 moves in the retreat position, the developingmotor 25 starts actuating the developing mechanism 22 in response to asignal from the system controller 55, to move the advance claw into thecutout 20 a of the film pack 20. The advance claw pushes the exposed oneof the instant films 30 out of the film pack 20. The printing head 32 inthe retreat position does not interfere with the advance claw beingmoved.

As the instant film 30 is pushed by the advance claw, the top edge ofthe instant film 30 comes in between the developing rollers 21.Thereafter, the developing rollers 21 rotate to advance the instant film30 and, at the same time, break the solution pod 30 a to spread theprocessing solution. The advance claw makes one stroke of reciprocation,and then stops at its home position. Upon the advance claw returning toits home position, the scanning motor 24 a is driven to move theprinting head 32 to its initial position.

The instant film 30 between the developing rollers 21 is ejected throughthe film exit 10 at the top of the camera body 2. In one or a couple ofminutes, the subject image is fixed as a positive image on the imagereceiving sheet, providing a hard copy of the subject image displayed onthe LCD panel 15 at the time of operating the print key. If a decorativeframe pattern is designated, the subject image as printed is surroundedwith the decorative frame pattern.

As described so far, since the instant printer using the instant film 30as a recording medium is incorporated into the electronic still camera,a hard copy of a full-color image picked up by the electric camera ismade at low electric power without the need for heat energy. Such smallcapacity batteries that are containable in the camera body 2 are enoughas a power source for the instant printer. Consequently, a hard copy ofa subject image may be made easily as soon as the image is picked upthrough the electronic still camera. It is also possible to input imagedata of an image through the external terminals to the electronic stillcamera, and make a hard copy of that image through the instant printer.Therefore, the electronic still camera of the present invention isusable as a portable printer.

The electronic still camera according to the present invention has threeusages: an electronic still camera for photographing a subject, an imagedisplay device for observing the photographed image, and a printer formaking a hard copy based on image data from an internal memory or anexternal memory. In order to make good use of the respective functionsof this type of electronic still camera without confusions, it isnecessary to put operation procedures in systematical order, as well asto design the camera so as to prevent wrong operations. The followingembodiment relates to an electronic still camera provided with animaging function, a displaying function, and a printing function, whichis easy to operate and works precisely.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an electronic still camera according to asecond embodiment of the invention. A power switch 70 is located at anupper portion of a camera body 2. When the power switch 70 is turned on,various operation keys are made effective, and the electronic stillcamera automatically proceeds to an imaging mode for picking up subjectimages. A camera lens 3 and a flash window 4 are located at upper frontportions. A grip portion 5 is provided with a battery chamber lid 74 onits side area, which is opened for exchanging a power source batteries.For example, the power source batteries are four pieces of AA sizebatteries connected in series.

A shutter release button 75 is located at a front area of the gripportion 5. Upon the shutter release button 75 being pressed, a stillimage frame of the subject formed through the camera lens 3 is recorded.As the camera lens 4 is used a pan-focus lens whose depth of fieldranges, for example, from 1.2 m to infinity. Therefore focusing is notfundamentally necessary. For enabling a close-up photography at asubject distance of less than 1 m, a close-up setting knob 76 isprovided. It is possible to provide a well-known automatic focusingdevice using the optical triangulation or a method of detecting peaks ofspatial frequency, so that the camera lens 3 is automatically focused inresponse to a half depression of the shutter release button 75 within astandard object distance.

In the same way as the first embodiment, the electronic still camerauses mono-sheet type instant films for producing hard copies of therecorded image frames. A slit-like film exit 10 is formed through a topface of the camera body 2. The film exit 10 is usually covered with adoor 71 in a light-tight fashion. A pair of developing rollers areprovided inside the film exit 10. When a printing operation is made, anexposed instant film is advanced through the developing rollers, andprotrudes out through the film exit 10. Then the instant film is ejectedfrom the camera body 2 while pushing out the door 71. Simultaneously,processing solution is developed to form a positive image on the instantfilm in a minute or so.

To load a film pack, a pack loading door 77 is provided on a front faceof the camera body 2. In its closed position, the pack loading door 77is stepped forward from the front wall of the camera body 2. The frontsurface of the pack loading door 77 is even with the front surface ofthe grip portion 5, the front end of the camera lens 3 and the frontsurface of the flash window 4, so that the camera body 2 is laid stablywith its front side down.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rear side of the camera body 2 is provided withan LCD panel 15 that constitutes an electronic viewfinder for displayinga full-color subject image picked up through the camera lens 3 in a realtime fashion. The LCD panel 15 is constituted of a white lightfluorescent lamp, liquid crystal segments and micro color filters, eachmicro color filter being combined with one segment and arranged incorrespondence with one pixel. Along a top edge of the LCD panel 15,there is an icon display panel 72 for displaying icons thereon, as willbe described later. Above the icon display panel 72, another LCD panelis provided as a data display panel 73. On the data display panel, aserial number of the recorded image frame, the number of remaininginstant films, and selected photographic conditions are displayed.

On one side of the LCD panel 15, there are a cancel key 78 a, anexecution key 78 b, cursor keys 78 c and 78 d for left and right, whichare arranged in a cross. Above these keys, there are an imaging mode key79 a and a display mode key 79 b. A print mode key 80 and a template key81 are located in a lower portion of the camera body 2. Designated by 82and 83 are a flash mode switching key and a data compression rateselection key, respectively. The operations of these keys will bedescribed later. A bracket 85 for holding an external memory 84 ismounted inside the camera body 2, such that the bracket 85 may be drawnout from the bottom of the camera body 2. For example, a memory cardcalled SMART MEDIA (a trade name), that is provided by the presentapplicant, is usable as the external memory 84.

FIG. 10 shows a layout of respective members inside the camera body 2 asviewed from the front. An imaging unit 18 including a CCD image sensoris disposed behind the camera lens 3, and the developing rollers 21, adeveloping mechanism 22 for driving the developing rollers 21, a circuitboard 27 of a flash device and a head moving mechanism 24 are arrangedaround a chamber for loading a film pack 20 therein. Also, a developingmotor 25 for activating the developing mechanism 22 and a power sourcebattery 26 are mounted.

FIG. 11 illustrates an instant printer section constituted of the headmoving mechanism 24 and a printing head 32. The printing head 32 has thesame construction as shown in FIG. 5, consisting of a white lightfluorescent lamp, an array of liquid crystal segments and a color filterhaving a red pass filter portion, a green pass filter portion and a bluepass filter portion. The printing head 32 extends in a direction Mperpendicular to the advancing direction of the instant film 30,hereinafter referred to as a main scan direction M. When the head movingmechanism 24 is driven by a scanning motor 24 a, the printing head 32 ismoved in a sub scan direction S parallel to the film advancingdirection. In the same way as the first embodiment, the printing head 32makes one and half reciprocation in the sub scan direction S for eachprinting of one frame, to make a print in the three color framesequential fashion.

FIG. 12 illustrates the circuitry of the electronic still camera shownin FIG. 8. Because the construction is fundamentally equal to that shownin FIG. 6, like elements are designated by the same reference numbers,and the description of those elements is omitted. The followingdescription relates only to those features essential to the presentembodiment.

A system controller 55 controls an image data processor circuit 50 andall the other electric operations of the electronic still camera. Thesystem controller 55 monitors signals from a key board 57 and a group ofexternal terminals 58 through an I/O port 56, and operates for thesignal processing in accordance with the input signals. The key board 57monitors operations of the shutter release button 75, the cancel key 78a, the execution key 78 b, the cursor keys 78 c, 78 d, the imaging modekey 79 a, the display mode key 79 b, the print mode key 80, the templatekey 81 and the flash mode switching key 82 and the data compression rateselection key 83, and inputs respective operation signals to the systemcontroller 55. The external terminals 58 are used for writing data in anexternal memory 84, or reading data from the external memory 84, as wellas for data communication with external apparatuses.

EEPROM 66 previously stores various kinds of adjustment data, which arereferred to by the system controller 55 when the electronic still camerais operated according to a predetermined sequence. The EEPROM 66 furtherstores compensation data and control data for use in image editing. Amotor driver 65 drives the developing motor 25 and the scanning motor 24a under the control of the system controller 55.

A work memory 69 has a capacity to store image data of a single stillimage frame. In an imaging mode, the work memory 69 is used fortemporarily storing image data before the image data is written in aflash memory 60. In a display mode and a print mode, image data of aselected image frame is read out from the flash memory 60 and istemporarily stored in the work memory 69, so the selected image isdisplayed on the LCD panel 15 on the basis of the image data read outfrom the work memory 69. Also on a template composing process or on acolor balance or density control process, which will be described later,the work memory 69 stores original image data read out from the flashmemory 60.

Now, the operation sequence of the electronic still camera having theabove-described construction will be described. When an ON signal fromthe power switch 70 is fed to the system controller 55 through thekeyboard 57 and the I/O port 56, the system controller 55 automaticallystarts up the electronic still camera with the imaging mode, inaccordance with the flow chart shown in FIG. 13. In this state, animaging and recording device is in a standby position, which isconstituted of a CCD image sensor 45, a CCD driver 46, an amplifier 47,an A/D converter 48, the image data processor circuit 50 and the systemcontroller 55. Unless the display mode key 79 b or the print mode key 80is operated, the electronic still camera is maintained in the imagingmode where the CCD image sensor 45 picks up subject images through thecamera lens 3.

The image pick-up signal from the CCD image sensor 45 is converted intodigital image data through the amplifier 47 and the A/D converter 48.The image data processor circuit 50 operates for the signal processingof the image data for white balance adjustment, gamma correction and thelike. The image data thus processed is converted into a signalcorresponding to the NTSC method, and is fed to the LCD driver 54through a D/A converter 51 and an amplifier 52. As a result, a subjectimage is displayed on the LCD panel 15 in a real time fashion.

In the imaging mode, the flash mode switching key 82, the datacompression rate selection key 83 and the template key 81 are madeeffective. The flash mode switching key 82 is provided for turning theflash device on or off, for setting up a special flashing for avoidingred-eye phenomena, or another flash condition. The data compression rateselection key 83 is provided for selecting a data compression rate onrecording image data of one frame in the flash memory 60. Thephotographic conditions selected by operating these keys 82 and 83 aredisplayed on the data display panel 73.

FIG. 14 shows an example of display pattern on the data display panel73. The data display panel 73 is provided with a flash mode displaysegment 73 a, a data compression rate display segment 73 b, a segment 73c for displaying the number of remaining films, a segment 73 d fordisplaying the serial number of the recorded image frame, a segment 73 efor displaying the printing progress, and other segments for indicatingbattery conditions, for indicating that the close-up photography isselected, and so forth.

After setting up photographic conditions, upon each operation of theshutter release button 75, the image data processor circuit 50 takes inan image pick-up signal of one frame that is obtained at that momentfrom the CCD image sensor 45 through the amplifier 47 and the A/Dconverter 48. The image data of one frame processed in the image dataprocessor circuit 50 is temporarily written in the work memory 69 andthen transferred to the flash memory 60, to be written therein. Beforethe image data of one frame is completely written in the flash memory60, a still image is displayed on the LCD panel 15 on the basis of theimage data written in the work memory 69. Each time the image data ofone frame is written in the flash memory 60, the number displayed on theframe number display segment 73 d increments.

When using a template with the photography, the template key 81 ispressed. Then the finder image on the LCD panel 15 disappears, and fivekinds of templates are displayed instead, as shown in FIG. 15, which arepreviously stored in a template memory 68. The user selects one fromamong these templates by moving a framing line through the cursor keys78 c and 78 d. The template framed by the framing line at the time whenthe execution key 78 b is pressed, i.e. an oval template in the shownexample, is decided to be used for the photography.

After the template is selected, the selected template is displayed withthe finder image on the LCD panel 15, as shown in FIG. 16. At that time,the template is displayed as a gray semi-transparent frame with asee-through center portion, so that the finder image can be observed.This is for the sake of framing the subject with regard to the shape ofthe template as well as the printing range of the subject image. It isto be noted that letters and symbols displayed on a lower portion of theLCD panel 15 in FIG. 16 are utilized in the display mode, and are notdisplayed in the imaging mode.

When the shutter release button 75 is pressed while the template isdisplayed with the finder image, image data of the subject image andimage data of the template is written in combination in the flash memory60. That is, among the subject image data, image data pieces of thoseareas which are covered with the peripheral portion of the template arereplaced with the template image data. Accordingly, the image framealways includes the template when displayed or printed.

If the display mode key 79 b is operated in the imaging mode, the CCDdriver 46 is disconnected from the power source, and the CCD imagesensor 45 is turned off. The system controller 55, the image dataprocessor circuit 50, the D/A converter 51, the amplifier 52, the LCDdriver 54 and the LCD panel 15, which constituting a display device, arekept being supplied. Also, the work memory 69 is set in a state forreading out the image data from the flash memory 60 to display recordedimage frames on the LCD panel 15 based on the read image data.

FIG. 17 shows the processing sequence in the display mode. When thedisplay mode is selected, the electronic still camera is first set to asingle-frame display mode, wherein the LCD panel 15 displays an indicia“PLAY” 90 a, a cursor 90 b, a scroll bar 90 c and a frame ID number 90d, as shown in FIG. 18. The cursor 90 b is for pointing one of the icons72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d and 72 e displayed on the icon display panel 72.In the shown example, the cursor 90 b points the icon 72 a, indicatingthat the single-frame display mode of the display mode is set atpresent. The icons 72 b to 72 e represent a multi-frame display mode, anedit mode, a delete mode and a protect mode respectively. For instancewhen the multi-frame display mode is selected, the cursor 90 b isshifted to a position shown by dashed lines, pointing the icon 72 b.Framing lines shown by dashed lines in FIG. 18 illustrate a displayformat of the image frames in the multi-frame display mode. Also aletter indicia is displayed on the lower portion of the LCD panel 15, asshown in FIG. 18.

In the single-frame display mode, another image frame is displayed onthe LCD panel 15 upon each operation of the cursor key 78 c or 78 d, inaccordance with the image data read out from the flash memory 60. Bypressing the cursor key 78 c or 78 d continuously, the scroll bar 90 cmoves on the screen of the LCD panel 15. At the stop of pressing thecursor key 78 c or 78 d, the scroll bar 90 c stops moving, and an imageframe of a frame number corresponding to the stop position of the scrollbar 90 c is displayed.

The template key 81 is usable in the single-frame display mode. Upon thetemplate key 81 being pressed, image data of the image frame displayedon the LCD panel 15 at the present is transferred to the work memory 69,and the LCD panel 15 displays the five kinds of templates as shown inFIG. 15. An appropriate one of these templates is selected by operatingthe cursor keys 78 c and 78 d in the same way as described above. Whenthe execution key 78 b is operated to decide the selection, image dataof the selected template is composed with the frame image data in thework memory 69, and the composite image is displayed on the LCD panel15. Since the peripheral portion of the template image is displayed as asemi-transparent gray frame in the same way as above, the use canobserve the template in relation to the subject image.

With the composite image of the subject image and the template, anindicia “OK?” and an instruction for the next procedure are displayed.If the selected template is determined to be unsuitable in view of thecomposite image, the cancel key 78 a is pressed. Then the screen returnsto the stage shown in FIG. 15, allowing the selection of anothertemplate. If the execution key 78 b is operated in the stage where thecomposite image is displayed, the image data of the template istransferred to the flash memory 60 and is stored in a predeterminedaddress along with the original image data of the subject image. Whenreading the image data of the corresponding frame again, the templateimage data assigned thereto is read out together to display thecomposite image. In this way, it is possible to compose an appropriatetemplate with an image frame in the display mode, even though the imageframe has been recorded without the template. Moreover, as the originalimage data of the subject image is entirely preserved, it is possible toreuse the original image data.

When the display mode key 79 b is operated in the single-frame displaymode, the mode is shifted to the multi-frame display mode, and thecursor 90 b is shifted to the position pointing the icon 72 b thatrepresents the multi-frame display mode. Then the system controller 55reads out image data of nine frames from the flash memory 60. The imagedata of nine frames is processed such that reduced images of the nineframes may be displayed on the LCD panel 15 in a 3×3 matrix, as impliedby the dashed lines in FIG. 18. The processed image data is written inthe work memory 69, so the nine image frames are displayed on the LCDpanel 15.

In the multi-frame display mode, a framing line moves from one displayedframe after other on the LCD panel 15 upon each operation on the cursorkey 78 c or 78 d. When the execution key 79 b is operated while anappropriate one of the displayed frames is surrounded by the framingline, the one frame is selected. Then the mode is shifted to thesingle-frame displayed mode, and the image of the selected frame aloneis displayed on the LCD panel 15. If the cursor key 78 d for the rightis operated in a position where the right bottom frame is surrounded bythe framing line, the following nine image frames are newly displayed inthe 3×3 matrix. If the cursor key 78 c for the left is operated in aposition where the left top frame is surrounded by the framing line, thepreceding nine image frames are displayed in the 3×3 matrix.

As subsidiary modes under the display mode, there are the delete mode,the protect mode and the edit mode in parallel to the single-framedisplay mode and the multi-frame display mode. By pressing the displaymode key 79 b, the mode is sequentially shifted from one other amongthese subsidiary modes. Along with this mode shifting, the cursor 90 bon the LCD panel 15 points the corresponding one of the icons 72 a to 72e on the icon display panel 72.

In the edit mode, it is possible to control color balance and density ofone image frame displayed on the LCD panel 15. The cursor 90 b moves toa position pointing the icon 72 c, and an edit menu is displayed on theLCD panel 15, over the subject image. Thereafter, color balance anddensity of the subject image are controlled by operating the cursor keys78 c and 78 d, and the execution key 78 b or the cancel key 78 a inaccordance with the edit menu.

The image data to edit is written in the work memory 69, so the imagedata is controlled on the work memory 69 in response to the controllingoperations. The controlling operation is performed while checking thecontrolled conditions on the image displayed on the LCD panel 15. Whenthe execution key 78 b is operated at the conclusion of controlling,data of correction and control effected on the image data on the workmemory 69 is transferred to the flash memory 60, and is stored ascorrection data for the corresponding frame in a predetermined address.Thereafter when the image data of the corresponding frame is read out,the correction data is concurrently read out, so that a controlled imageis displayed on the LCD panel 15.

In the delete mode, it is possible to delete image data of one framedisplayed in the single-frame display mode from the flash memory 60.When the execution key 78 b is operated while the cursor 90 b points theicon 72 d, a deletion menu is displayed on the LCD panel 15 over thesubject image. Thereafter, image data of a selected image may be deletedin accordance with the deletion menu. The deletion menu contains aprogram for simultaneous deletion of image data of a plurality of framesfrom the flash memory 60.

Furthermore, there is a deletion menu for deleting image data alone fromthe external memory 84, and not deleting formatting data, as well as amenu for formatting the external memory 84 to be usable to theelectronic still camera. If the external memory 84 already stores someimage data when it is subjected to the formatting, the image data isdeleted and formatting data is newly written.

By shifting the cursor 90 b to the position pointing the icon 72 e andthen operating the execution key 78 b, a protection menu is displayed onthe LCD panel 15 over the subject image. When a protection process iscarried out on a selected frame, it comes to be impossible to rewrite ordelete image data of that frame. There is a menu for effecting theprotection process on a plurality of frames or on all frames at the sametime. The protection menu also includes a menu for cancelling theprotection of one or more of the protected frames.

When the print mode key 80 is operated in the imaging mode or in thedisplay mode except the delete mode and the protect mode, the electronicstill camera is immediately switched to the print mode. In the printmode, as shown in FIG. 19, the LCD panel 15 displays a still image onthe basis of image data stored in the work memory 69 at the time ofswitching to the print mode.

For instance when it is switched from the imaging mode to the printmode, the work memory 69 stores one frame of image data picked up andrecorded last in the flash memory 60, so the image of the last recordedframe is displayed on the LCD panel 15. When it is switched from theedit mode to the print mode, an image is displayed based on image datathat has been transferred to the work memory 69 for the edition process.If the image data is rewritten by composing the template in the displaymode, the subject image composed with the template is displayed. It isto be noted that if the print mode key 80 is operated in the multi-framedisplay mode, a multi-frame is displayed since the work memory 69 storesimage data for displaying the multi-frame at that time.

Together with the image to print, the LCD panel 15 displays a print menuas literal indicia, so that it is possible to set the number of printsto make by operating the cursor keys 78 c and 78 d and the execution key78 b. The maximum number of available prints is limited up to theremaining number of instant films that is displayed on the segment 73 cof the data display panel 73. After assigning the number of prints, theexecution key 78 b is operated to let the printing head 32 makeprinting. During the printing, the LCD panel 15 is turned off to reducethe power consumption.

At the start of printing process, the system controller 55 invalidatesany input through the operation keys. Even if the power switch 70 isturned off, power supply is maintained to the line memory 64, the headdriver 63, the printing head 32, the motor driver 65, the developingmotor 35, the scanning motor 24 a and the work memory 69, whichconstitute a printing device. However, when the cancel key 78 a isoperated during the printing after a plurality of prints are designatedto make, the printing process is terminated with the instant film thatis subjected to the printing at the time of operating the cancel key 78a.

The system controller 55 accesses the work memory 69, to sequentiallyread out red-color image data of a first line representative ofdensities of red pixels of the first line, and is transferred to theline memory 64. Thus, the line memory 64 comes to store the red-colorimage data of the first line. The system controller 55 confirms that thered pass filter portion of the color filter is inserted into theprinting light path, and that all LCD segments of the LCD array of theprinting head 32 are their light-shielding state. Then the systemcontroller 55 turns on the fluorescent lamp of the printing head 32.

The printing head 32 is in an initial position confronted with thebottom edge of the instant film 30, as show by phantom lines in FIG. 11.The initial position is a position to start recording the first line.The system controller 55 confirms that the printing head 32 is in theinitial position by use of a photo sensor (not shown). Then the imagedata of the first line is sent from the line memory 64 sequentially tothe LCD array, so the respective transmittance densities of the LCDsegments are set at values corresponding to the image data. The redprinting light from the red pass filter portion of the color filter 36travels through the LCD segments, so the instant film 30 is exposed tothe red printing light of different amounts determined by thetransmittance densities of the respective LCD segments. In apredetermined time, the LCD segments are reset to the light-shieldingstate.

At the conclusion of exposure to the red printing light for the firstline, the scanning motor 24 a, which is a stepping motor, rotatesthrough a predetermined angle, shifting the printing head 32 to aposition of a succeeding line. Thereafter, red-color image datarepresentative of densities of red pixels of the second line istransferred from the work memory 69 to the line memory 64. The secondline is exposed to the red printing light in a similar manner to thefirst line. The printing head 32 is shifted toward the developingrollers 21 in a stepwise manner, while each line is exposed to the redprinting light. When a final line has been exposed to the red printinglight, printing of red pixels of one frame is completed.

Then the system controller 55 sends the head driver 63 a filter changesignal, to insert the green pass filter portion in the printing lightpath in place of the red pass filter portion. The system controller 55accesses the work memory 69, serially reads out green-color image datarepresentative of green pixels of the final line from among the imagedata, and transfers the green-color image data to the line memory 64.

Thereafter, the instant film 30 is exposed to the green printing lightin the same way as above, but in the direction from the final line tothe first line. After the completion of printing the green pixels of oneframe, the blue pass filter portion is inserted in the printing lightpath. While blue-color image data representative of blue pixels of thesubject image is read line by line from the flash memory 60, each lineis exposed to the blue printing light.

After the exposure with the three-color printing light is completed, theprinting head 32 is placed in a retreat position which is shifted towardthe developing rollers 21 from the initial position as shown by solidline in FIG. 11.

After the printing head 32 moves in the retreat position, the developingmotor 25 starts actuating the developing mechanism 22 in response to asignal from the system controller 55, to move the advance claw into thecutout 20 a of the film pack 20. The advance claw pushes the exposed oneof the instant films 30 out of the film pack 20. While the printing head32 makes the exposure, the printing process is displayed on the segment73 e of the data display panel 73.

As the instant film 30 is pushed by the advance claw, the top edge ofthe instant film 30 comes in between the developing rollers 21.Thereafter, the developing rollers 21 rotate to advance the instant film30 and, at the same time, break the solution pod 30 a to spread theprocessing solution. The advance claw makes one stroke of reciprocation,and then stops at its home position. Upon the advance claw returning toits home position, the scanning motor 24 a is driven to move theprinting head 32 to its initial position. The instant film 30 is ejectedthrough the film exit 10 out of the camera body 2 while pushing open thedoor 11. In one or a couple of minutes, the subject image is fixed as apositive image on the image receiving sheet, providing a hard copy ofthe image selected to be printed.

When the printing process is finished, the LCD panel 15 is driven againto display the image frame selected to be printed. To print anotherimage frame in succession, the image frame to print is selected byoperating the cursor keys 78 c and 78 d and the execution key 78 b, andis printed in the same procedures as above. To switch over from theprint mode to other mode, the cancel key 78 a is operated at the stagewhere one image frame is displayed. If the number of prints is alreadyset, the print number setting is canceled by the cancel key 78 a and,thereafter, the cancel key 78 a is operated again. Then, the electronicstill camera is reset to the previous mode that is selected before theprint mode is selected. In this stage, the operation on either theimaging mode key 79 a or the display mode key 79 b is accepted as avalid selection signal.

As described so far, according to the electronic still camera of thepresent embodiment, the imaging function, the display function and theprinting function are arranged in parallel to each other in view of theoperation sequence, whereas subsidiary modes such as the edit mode, thedelete mode, the protect mode, and the multi-frame display mode arearranged under the display mode. If the print key 80 is operated in thedisplay mode, the mode is quickly shifted to the print mode except whenan operation on the execution key 78 b is required. After being shiftedto the print mode, an image displayed at present on the LCD panel 15 isautomatically selected to be printed. Therefore, it is possible to printan image as soon as the image is recorded or edited. Thus, theelectronic still camera of the present embodiment is superior inworkability.

Since all the input through the operation keys are invalidated after theexecution of the printing process till the conclusion thereof, theprinting process is performed stably while eliminating the danger ofnoise overlapping and reducing the load on the power source. Because thewidely used instant film pack is used as the photosensitive recordingmedium, it is easy to handle the instant films.

Moreover, the electronic still camera is automatically set in theimaging mode when the power switch 70 is turned on. Also when theshutter release button 75 is pressed halfway in the display mode, if theoperation on the execution key 78 b is not required, the mode is quicklyshifted to the imaging mode. After an image frame is recorded bypressing the shutter release button 75 further to the full, it returnsto the display mode. In this way, it is easy to switch the electronicstill camera to the imaging mode, the user can avoid losing the shutterchance.

For the sake of power-saving, it is preferable to add an auto cutofffunction for cutting off the power source when the electronic stillcamera is left for a while, e.g., five minutes, without any operation.In that case, when any one of the operation keys is operated in the autocutoff condition, the electronic still camera returns to the activecondition, preferably to the previous mode immediately before the autocutoff.

To embody the present invention, the construction of the printing headis not limited to the above described embodiments. For example, an arrayof micro light emitting diodes (LED) are usable as a light source of theprinting head. By providing three kinds of micro LED for emitting red,green and blue light beams respectively, a color filter is not neededfor the printing head. By allocating one micro LED to one LCD segment ofthe LCD array, it is possible to control the intensity of printing lightthrough the LCD segment in accordance with the image data.

It is also possible to use such a light source whose light contains thethree colors and which can control the amounts of the respective lightbeams, e.g. a fluorescent light source array having micro fluorescentlight emitting elements arranged in a line, wherein each microfluorescent light emitting element corresponds to one pixel and emitslight on the light emission principle of the fluorescent light displaytube. Then, it is possible to omit the LCD array, because the lightamount may be controlled for each pixel by the fluorescent light sourcearray itself.

Although the instant printer section of the above embodiment is designedto print a full-color image in the three color frame sequential fashion,it is possible to record a full-color image at one sub scanningoperation by simultaneously projecting three color printing light beamsfrom the printing head. The following description relates to instantprinters that can print a full-color image at one sub scanningoperation, and are suitable for incorporating into an electronic stillcamera.

FIG. 20 shows an electronic still camera 110 having an instant photoprinter incorporated therein, wherein a grip portion 112 is provided onthe left side of a camera body 111 as viewed from the front. The gripportion 112 contains a battery 113 (see FIG. 21).

A camera lens 114 is placed at a center of the front of the camera body111. An image pick-up section 115 including a CCD image sensor isdisposed behind the camera lens 114 (see FIG. 22). A light receptivemember 116 of a not-shown automatic exposure control (AE) section isprovided adjacent to the camera lens 114. A subject brightness signal issent from the AE light receptive member 116 to the AE section, whichthen controls the exposure automatically at each exposure in awell-known manner. A shutter button 117 is placed in proximity to a topsurface of the grip portion 112. The electronic still camera 110 mayalso be provided with a flash device, an auto-focusing device, a zoomingdevice or the like.

As shown in FIG. 23, a pack loading door 123 is pivotally mounted to theback side of the camera body 111 through a hinge 124. The pack loadingdoor 123 is normally locked in the closed position. A sliding knob 126is operated to open the pack loading door 123 for the purpose ofinserting or removing a film pack 125 as shown in FIG. 22. A counterwindow 127 indicates the number of instant films exposed.

An LCD panel 121 and a control panel 122 are incorporated into the packloading door 123. The LCD panel 121 displays an image of a photographicsubject to be picked up through the camera lens 114 in a real timefashion, constituting an electronic viewfinder. The control panel 122has various keys, including a mode changer key for switching between animage pick-up mode and a display mode, a frame selector key, a printstart key, a deletion button for deleting image data, and a switchingkey for inputting and outputting image data with external apparatuses.

The film pack 125 consists of a plastic case 129 and a plurality of,e.g., 10 sheets of mono-sheet type instance films 128 contained in apile in the plastic case 129. The top instant film 128 of the pile isurged by a spring 130 to position behind an exposure opening 129 a ofthe case 129, as is shown in FIG. 22.

Inside the camera body 111, as shown in FIG. 21, there is a photoprinter section for recording a full-color image on the instant film 128of the film pack 125 placed behind the exposure opening 129 a. The photoprinter section consists of a printer head unit 131 including amulti-color projection type printing head, and a film advancing device132. Synchronously with the instant film 128 being advanced to theoutside by the film advancing device 132, the printing head is driven torecord a full-color image on the instant film 128 at one scanning.

The film advancing device consists of a pair of developing rollers 133and a developing mechanism 134 for driving the developing roller 133.The developing rollers 133 and the developing mechanism 134 are drivenby a developing motor 136 to advance the exposed instant film 128 out ofthe film pack 125, and ejects it through a film exit 135 formed as aslit in a top face of the camera body 111.

The developing rollers 133 are biased by a spring in the direction toclose to each other. Since the instant film 128 has a processingsolution pod 128 a along its top edge, the solution pod 128 a is brokenby the pressure of the developing rollers 133 while being advancedthrough the developing rollers 133. Thereby, the processing solution isspread between a photosensitive sheet and an image receiving sheet ofthe instant film 128. A positive image appears on the instant film inone minute to several minutes after the spread of the processingsolution.

The developing mechanism 134 includes an advance claw and a mechanismfor moving the advance claw, as well-known in the art. When thedeveloping motor 25 rotates, the advance claw is actuated to push up thebottom edge of the exposed instant film 128, until the top edge of theinstant film 128 comes between the developing rollers 133. After theinstant film 128 comes between the developing rollers 133, since thedeveloping rollers 133 have started rotation then, the instant film 128is moved upwards by the developing rollers 133.

As shown in FIG. 24, the printer head unit 131 is located near a topedge of the exposure opening 125 a of the film pack 25, with itslongitudinal direction M oriented perpendicularly to the advancingdirection S of the instant film 128. Hereinafter, the longitudinaldirection M will be referred to as a main scan direction, whereas thedirection S will be referred to as a sub scan direction. Designated by129 a is a cutout for the advance claw to enter the film pack 125 whenpushing out the exposed instant film 128.

FIG. 25 shows a section of the printer head unit 131. The printer headunit 131 consists of the multi-color projection type printing head 138and a head driver 139 which are accommodated in a light-shielding frame137. The printing head 138 has a light emitting element array 141 and amicro lens array 142 extending in the main scan direction inside a case140. The light emitting element array 141 consists of a row of red (R)light emitting elements 143, a row of green (G) light emitting elements144 and a row of blue (B) light emitting elements 145. These rows of thelight emitting elements 143 to 145 extend in the main scan direction andare shifted from each other in the sub scan direction. In thisembodiment, the light emitting elements 143 to 145 are micro LEDs, eachdiode corresponds to one color pixel. Lighting time duration of each LEDis individually controlled in accordance with the density of the pixelto record.

The micro lens array 142 consists of three rows of micro lenses 142 a,142 b and 142 c which are arranged in correspondence with the respectivelight emitting elements 143 to 145, such that the light beam from eachlight emitting element may not interfere with the other's. The microlens array 142 may be constituted of SELFOC lenses. In order that threecolor light beams from the red light emitting elements 143, the greenlight emitting elements 144, and the blue light emitting elements 145are focused in a line on the photosensitive surface of the instant film128 along the main scan direction, the micro lenses 142 a and 142 c forthe red and blue light beams, which are placed on the sides of the micromirror array 142, are inclined to the middle row of micro lenses 142 bfor the green light beam.

Since the sub scanning is performed by advancing the instant film 28 tothe film exit 135, if the film advancing speed fluctuates, the length ofthe pixels in the sub scan direction or the exposure density can vary,resulting unexpected density or color variations. In practice, the filmadvancing speed fluctuates on various reasons. For example, the filmadvancing speed fluctuates because of the consumption degree of thebattery and mechanical factors, such as when an instant film thruststhrough light-shielding flaps at a film exit of a film pack, when asolution pods is broken, while the processing solution is developed, orwhen the instant film gets over a trap section for absorbing redundantprocessing solution. To avoid the density variations caused by thevariation in the film advancing speed, the electronic still camera 110is provided with a speed sensor 150 and a speed compensation calculator151, as shown in FIG. 26.

The speed sensor 150 is constituted of a roller which is in contact withand rotates with the instant film 128 being advanced, a pulse encoderconnected to the roller, and a signal processing circuit. The signalprocessing circuit detects the film advancing speed of the instant film128 by measuring the intervals of the encoder pulses with reference to aclock signal. A signal representative of the film advancing speed issent to the speed compensation calculator 151 through a systemcontroller 152.

On the basis of the film advancing speed signal from the speed sensor150, the speed compensation calculator 151 produces compensation datafor controlling timing of light emission, and sends the compensationdata to the head driver 139, such that expected densities are obtainedin correspondence with the image data in spite of the speed fluctuation.

As shown for instance in FIGS. 27(A) and 27(B), when the advancing speedof the instant film 128 changes from a value Va down to a value Vb(Vb<Va), a line printing cycle time PT for printing one line iselongated from a value PTa to a value PTb. The line printing cycle timePT consists of a total lighting time T1 of each LED that variesdepending upon the density of the pixel to record, and a totalintermission time T2 when the LED does not emit light. The totallighting time T1 is divided into a number of lighting time divisions t1of an approximately equal length (T1=Σt1), and the lighting timedivisions t1 are equally scattered over the line printing cycle time PT,interlaced or alternated with intermission time divisions t2(T2=Σt2).

Therefore, when the line printing cycle time is elongated, the lightingtime divisions t1 are scattered at correspondingly longer intervals.Specifically, when the film advancing speed goes down, the intermissiontime divisions t2 take a larger value t2 b, as shown in FIG. 27(B). Onthe contrary when the film advancing speed goes up, the intermissiontime divisions t2 take a smaller value t2 b, as shown in FIG. 27(A). Inthis way, the respective light emitting elements are controlled to emitlight at timings modified by the film advancing speed, the length andthe density of the pixels is maintained unchanged, and unexpecteddensity variation is prevented, even though the film advancing speedfluctuates.

FIG. 26 illustrates the circuitry of the electronic still camera 110.The CCD image sensor 155 is located behind the camera lens 114. When thecamera lens 114 is focused, a subject image is formed on a photoelectricplane of the CCD image sensor 155. A CCD driver 160 drives the CCD imagesensor 155 to convert the optical subject image photoelectrically intoan electric image pick-up signal. Micro color filters of red, green andblue colors are arranged on the photoelectric plane of the CCD imagesensor 155 in a matrix. The image pick-up signal is output color bycolor in a serial manner, and is amplified by an amplifier 161 at asuitable level, and converted by an A/D converter 162 into a digitalform. It is to be noted that driving operation of the CCD driver 160 issynchronized with sampling timing of the A/D converter 162.

The A/D converter 162 produces digital image data from the image pick-upsignal, and feeds the image data sequentially to an image data processorcircuit 163. The image data processor circuit 163 operates for thesignal processing of the supplied image data for white balanceadjustment, gamma correction and the like. Moreover the image dataprocessor circuit 163 produces a video signal corresponding to the NTSCcomposite signal from the processed image data. The video signal is sentthrough a D/A converter 164 and an amplifier 165 to an output terminal166 for the video signal.

It is therefore possible to observe the subject image picked up by theCCD image sensor 155 in a continuous manner by connecting the outputterminal 166 to a home television set. The video signal from theamplifier 165 is also fed to an LCD driver 167. As the LCD driver 167drives the LCD panel 121 that is incorporated into the pack loading door123, the LCD panel 121 displays the subject image in a continuousmanner. Therefore the LCD panel 121 operates as the electronicviewfinder.

The system controller 152 controls the image data processor circuit 163and all the other electric operations of the electronic still camera.The system controller 152 monitors signals from the control panel 122and a group of external terminals 170 through an I/O port 168, andoperates for the signal processing in accordance with the input signals.

A flash memory 171 is a DRAM which is accessible at high speed. Theflash memory 171 stores the image data frame by frame after the imagedata is obtained by the image data processor circuit 163, and has acapacity enough to store image data of fifty frames. A decorative datamemory 172 previously stores decorative data, which is used to modifythe shape and pattern of framing lines around the subject imagevariously.

The decorative data memory 172 may also store decorative data formerging cartoons, marks, letters, messages and the like into a part ofthe subject image. In the display mode, selected data pieces aretransferred from the flash memory 171 and the decorative data memory 172to the image data processor circuit 163, and an image composed of theimage data and the decorative data read from the flash memory 171 andthe decorative data memory 172 is displayed on the LCD panel 121.

The head driver 139 drives the light emitting element array 141 of theprinting head 138 under the control of the system controller 152. Theimage data is sent from line memories 174 of the three colors to theprinting head 138, and is used for controlling the lighting times of therespective LEDs 143 to 145 of the light emitting element array 141.EEPROM 175 previously stores various kinds of adjustment data, which arereferred to by the system controller 152 when the electronic stillcamera is operated according to a predetermined sequence.

The adjustment data is fine-adjusted to each individual camera in aninspection process after the finish of assembly of the electronic stillcamera. The adjustment data includes data related respectivecompensation data for the three colors adapted to printing. A motordriver 176 drives the developing motor 136 under the control of thesystem controller 152.

The operation of the electronic still camera having the above-describedconstruction will be described with reference to FIG. 28. When a powerswitch, which is provided on the control panel 122, is turned on, thesystem controller 152 determines the presently selected mode by a setposition of the mode changer key in the control panel 122, and proceedsto either one of the image pick-up mode and the display mode. In theimage pick-up mode, the CCD image sensor 155 picks up the subject imagein a continuous manner, so the subject image is displayed as a movingimage on the LCD panel 121 serving as the electronic viewfinder.

When the shutter release button 6 is pressed, the image data of thesubject image displayed at that moment on the LCD panel 121 is writtenas a still image frame to the flash memory 171. By repeating the shutterrelease operation in the image pick-up mode, it is possible to writeimage data of at most fifty still image frames to the flash memory 171.The maximum number of frames the flash memory 171 can store variesdepending upon the capacity of the flash memory 171.

After the image data of the maximum number of frames is written in theflash memory 171, it is possible to delete image data of unnecessaryframes from the flash memory 171 and write newly obtained image data tothe flash memory 171. These operations are effected by keying thecontrol panel 122. It is also possible to store newly obtained imagedata in an external memory medium or transfer the image data from theflash memory 171 to the external memory medium by connecting theexternal memory medium to an output terminal of the external terminals170.

In the display mode, a desired frame is designated by keying through thecontrol panel 122. The image data of the designated frame is sent fromthe flash memory 171 to the image data processor circuit 163, convertedby the D/A converter 164, amplified by the amplifier 165 and supplied tothe LCD driver 167, which causes the LCD panel 121 to display an imageof the designated frame. If a decorative frame pattern is designated bykeying through the control panel 122, the decorative frame pattern datais transferred from the decorative data memory 172 to the image dataprocessor circuit 163 in addition to the image data read transferredfrom the flash memory 171. Then, the LCD panel 121 displays a composedimage of the subject image with the decorative frame image.

When the print key is operated after selecting the subject image and, ifnecessary, a decorative frame pattern, the system controller 152accesses the flash memory 171, to sequentially read out image datapieces representative of three color densities of a first line fromamong the image data of the subject image presently displayed on the LCDpanel 121, and are transferred to the line memories 174.

Also the developing motor 136 is driven to rotate by the motor driver176. Upon rotation of the developing motor 136, the advance claw pushesout the exposed instant films 128 and, at the same time, the developingrollers 133 are caused to rotate. As the instant film 128 is pushed bythe advance claw, the top edge of the instant film 128 comes in betweenthe developing rollers 133. Thereafter, the developing rollers 133rotate to advance the instant film 128 and, at the same time, break thesolution pod 30 a to spread the processing solution. The advance clawmakes one stroke of reciprocation, and then stops at its home position.

The light emitting element array 141 is driven synchronously with thefilm advancing. The speed sensor 150 detects the advancing speed of theinstant film 128. The speed compensation calculator 151 produces datafor controlling lighting timing of the LEDs 143 to 145 depending uponthe advancing speed, and sends the data to the head driver 139. The headdriver 139 drives the LEDs 143 to 145 at corrected lighting timing.Three color pixels of the following lines are recorded on the instantfilm 128 in the same way as the first line in synchronism with the filmadvancing through the developing rollers 133, so that a full-color imageframe is optically recorded at one advancing operation of the instantfilm 128.

The instant film 128 fed by the developing rollers 133 is ejectedthrough the film exit 135 of the camera body 111. In one or a couple ofminutes, the subject image is fixed as a positive image on the imagereceiving sheet, providing a hard copy of the subject image displayed onthe LCD panel 121 at the time of operating the print key. If adecorative frame pattern is designated, the subject image as printed issurrounded with the decorative frame pattern.

As an alternative of the light emitting element array 141 consisting ofthe LEDs 143 to 145 arranged in the main scan direction, a lightemitting element array 182 consisting of a white light emission panel180 and an LCD array 181 is usable, as shown in FIG. 29. The LCD array181 is constituted of three rows of LCD segments 181 a, 181 b and 181 cfor the three colors, whose transmittance and opening time arecontrolled to control the exposure amount of each pixel. In thisembodiment, a color filter 183 is placed in respective light paths fromthe light emitting element array 182, to obtain red printing light beamsthrough a red pass filter portion 183 a of the color filter 183, greenprinting light beams through a green pass filter portion 183 b, and blueprinting light beams through a blue pass filter portion 183 c. The threecolor light beams are focused through a micro lens array 142 onto theinstant film 128 in the form of a line.

Mirrors 184, 185, 186 and 187 are used in the embodiment of FIG. 29, butthey may be omitted in the same way as the embodiment of FIG. 25. Thewhite light emission panel 180 may be replaced with a white fluorescentlamp or another white light source. As a light emitting element array,it is also possible to use such a light source that contains threecolors and whose light amount is controllable, e.g. a fluorescent lightsource array consisting of micro light emitting elements which emitlight based on the light emission principle of the fluorescent displaytube.

In the above embodiments, the micro lenses 142 a to 142 c of the microlens array 142 are inclined such that the three color light beams arefocused into a line. It is alternatively possible to focus the threecolor printing light beams as three lines at a time on thephotosensitive surface through a micro lens array 190 where micro lenses190 a, 190 b and 190 c for the three colors are arranged in the sameplane, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

FIG. 30 shows an embodiment using a light emitting element array 182with a white light emission panel 180 and a color filter 183 forconverting the white light into the three color printing light beams,like the embodiment of FIG. 29. FIG. 31 shows an embodiment where athree color light emitting element array 191 is constituted of LEDs, orcombinations of light emitting elements and LCD segments. In theseembodiments, the image data of the respective lines to record is sent tothe light emitting element array, for recording a full-color imagewithout a color registration failure. In FIG. 31, designated by 194,195, 196, 197, 198 and 199 are mirrors.

The amount of exposure per pixel may be controlled by changing theintensity of light from the light emitting elements, instead of or inaddition to changing their lighting times. To those light emittingelements which directly emit light, e.g. LEDs, the light intensity iscontrolled by controlling electric power supply. Where the lightemitting element array uses LCD segments, the light intensity iscontrolled by controlling transmittance of the LCD segments.

In the above embodiment, the film advancing or ejecting speed isdetected by means of a driven roller that is in contact with and rotatesalong with the advancing instant film 128, the speed fluctuation may bedetected by any other speed detection method. In an example as shown inFIG. 32, a speed detection track 96 with a large number of bars 96 aspaced at a very small interval in the film advancing direction isprovided on an instant film 97. The film advancing speed is determinedbased on detection timings of the bars 96 a. In that case, the bars 96 aare detected by use of an infrared light projector 98 and an infraredlight receptor 99, so that the photosensitive surface may not beexposed. On the basis of the detection timing of the bars 96 a, a signalprocessing circuit 100 determines the film advancing speed.

The speed detection track 96 may be provided with other marks than thebars 96 a. It is also possible to form a magnetic recording layer on theinstant film, and previously record magnetic marks on the magneticrecording layer, so that a magnetic head reads the magnetic marks todetect the film advancing speed.

As described so far, the multi-color emission type printing head isused, and the film advancing operation through the developing rollersfor developing processing solution is utilized for the sub scanning, sothat the printing head does not need to move in the sub scan direction,and thus the construction is simplified. Since the light emission timingis controlled in accordance with fluctuations in the advancing speed ofthe instant film, digital printing is achieved while reducing unexpecteddensity variations and color failures due to the speed fluctuation, eventhrough the advancing speed trends to fluctuate while the processingsolution is being developed. By using the instant film with the speeddetection track having marks arranged at regular intervals along thefilm advancing direction, the fluctuation in the film advancing speedcan be detected based on the speed detection track by use of a simpledevice.

In the above embodiment, a full-color image is recorded while theinstant film 128 is ejected by use of the advance claw and thedeveloping rollers 133. However, image recording may be done only whilethe instant film 128 is ejected through the developing rollers 133, notwhile it is ejected by the advance claw. In that case, the printing headstarts being driven to record a full-color image, after the instant filmcomes in between the developing rollers 133. The print head unit islocated in proximity to the developing rollers 133 insofar as it isaffected by the developed processing solution.

In the above embodiment, the instant printer of the present invention isincorporated into the electronic still camera. The instant printer ofthe present invention may also be embodied as a separate printer. Alsoin that case, three color recording is performed effectively. Theinstant printer of the invention may be a device attachable to anelectronic still camera. In addition, it is possible to incorporate theinstant printer of the present invention into a digital video camerathat records a moving picture. In that case, a frame of the movingpicture is selected as a still image to print.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 33, it is possible to mount the printerhead unit 131 in an instant camera 102 having a taking lens 101 forexposing an instant film frame by frame, in a position between a filmpack 103 and developing rollers 104. In this embodiment, an externalinput terminal is provided for entering image data, and an image isprinted digitally on an instant film based on the image data, while theinstant film is advanced to the outside, in the same way as the abovedescribed embodiment. It is desirable to provide the instant camera 102with a speed sensor 104 for detecting the film advancing speed and thuscontrolling timing of light emission in accordance with variations inthe film advancing speed. In this way, the instant camera 102 can take aphotograph by frame-exposure, and also make a print digitally based onimage data picked up through other electronic camera or the like. It isalso possible to provide the instant camera 102 with an imaging sectionconsisting of an image sensor for picking up image signals and a memoryfor storing image data obtained from the image signal.

It is, of course, possible to mount a multi-color projection typeprinting head as above instead of the printing head 32 in the electronicstill camera as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 8. In that case, a full-colorimage is printed on the instant film while moving the multi-colorprojection type printing head in the sub scanning direction only once,and the exposed instant film is thereafter advanced out of the camerathrough the developing rollers.

Thus, the present invention is not to be limited to the above describedembodiments, but various modification will be possible without departingfrom the scope of appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD

The present invention may be embodied as an electronic still camerahaving a printer incorporated thereinto, and as a separate instantprinter as well. It is also possible to mount an instant printer of thepresent invention to an electronic still camera in a removable fashion.In addition, the present invention is applicable in a digital videoprinter recording a moving image or in an instant camera offrame-exposure type.

1. An electronic still camera comprising an imaging device for obtainingelectronic image data from an optical image of a subject, memory meansfor recording said image data therein, and a printing device forprinting an image on an instant film containing a processing solutiontherein, said printing device comprising: a printing head which iselongated in a main scan direction; a head moving mechanism for movingsaid printing head in a sub scan direction perpendicular to the mainscan direction; a power source battery electrically connected so as toprovide power to the head moving mechanism; a head driver for drivingsaid printing head on the basis of one frame of image data read out fromsaid memory means in a line sequential fashion while said printing headis moved in the sub scan direction, to expose said instant film line byline while said instant film stands still; and developing rollers foradvancing said instant film after exposure out of a camera body whiledeveloping said processing solution inside said exposed instant film;wherein the printing head, the head moving mechanism, the head driver,the developing rollers, and the power source battery are all disposed inthe body of the camera.
 2. An electronic still camera according to claim1, further comprising: a memory storing predetermined image data; adevice for reading out appropriate image data from said memory andcomposing said appropriate image data with said image data of a subjectimage; and a display device for displaying said subject image or acomposite image on the basis of said subject image data or said composedimage data respectively, wherein said printing device may print saidcomposite image on the basis of said composed image data.
 3. Anelectronic still camera according to claim 1, further comprising a filmexit formed through a top face of said camera body, through which saidexposed instant film is advanced out in a direction parallel to the subscan direction.
 4. An electronic still camera according to claim 1,further comprising external terminals for communicating image data withexternal apparatuses, including printers, computers and memories.
 5. Anelectronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein said printing headsequentially emits red, green and blue light beams such that afull-color image is printed in a three color frame sequential fashion.6. An electronic still camera according to claim 1, wherein saidprinting head simultaneously emits red, green and blue light beams suchthat a full-color image is printed while said printing head makes asingle movement in the sub scan direction.
 7. An electronic still cameraaccording to claim 5, wherein said printing head comprises a fluorescentlamp, a red pass filter, a green-pass filter, a blue pass filter, afilter switching device for positioning one of said three filters in alight path of said fluorescent lamp, an LCD array arranged in a row inthe light path of said fluorescent lamp, and an optical system forprojecting light from said fluorescent lamp onto said instant film. 8.An electronic still camera according to claim 5, wherein said printinghead comprises a fluorescent light source array consisting of aplurality of fluorescent light sources arranged in a row incorrespondence with respective pixels, a red pass filter, a green passfilter, a blue pass filter, a filter switching device for positioningone of said three filters in a light path of said fluorescent lightsource array, and an optical system for projecting light from saidfluorescent light source onto said instant film.
 9. An electronic stillcamera according to claim 1, wherein said electronic still camera may berepeatedly loaded with an instant film pack containing a plurality ofsaid instant films.
 10. An electronic still camera comprising: animaging and recording device for displaying a moving image of a subjecton a display panel based on an image signal picked up through an imagesensor in a real time fashion, obtaining digital image data from saidimage signal and recording said image data frame by frame in memorymeans in response to a shutter release signal; a display device fordisplaying a still image on said display panel on the basis of imagedata read out from said memory means; a printing device for printing animage on a photosensitive recording medium by driving a printing head onthe basis of image data read out from said memory means, said printingdevice comprising: a printing head which is elongated in a main scandirection; a head moving mechanism for moving said printing head in asub scan direction perpendicular to the main scan direction; a powersource battery electrically connected so as to provide power to the headmoving mechanism; a head driver for driving said printing head on thebasis of one frame of image data read out from said memory means in aline sequential fashion while said printing head is moved in the subscan direction, to expose said instant film line by line while saidinstant film stands still; and developing rollers for advancing saidinstant film after exposure out of a camera body while developing saidprocessing solution inside said exposed instant film; wherein theprinting head, the head moving mechanism, the head driver, thedeveloping rollers, and the power source battery are all disposed in abody of the camera; and a mode selection device for selecting andswitching one of said imaging and recording device, said display deviceand said printing device to an active condition, wherein said modeselection device automatically sets an imaging mode, immediately after apower switch is turned on, where said imaging and recording device isactive, and said mode selection device, immediately after a print modeis selected, terminates said imaging mode, or a display mode where saiddisplay device is active, and makes said printing device ready andcauses said display panel to display a still image on the basis of imagedata recorded last in said memory means, and said printing device printsthe image that is displayed on the display panel in response to a printexecution signal.
 11. An electronic still camera according to claim 10,wherein said display panel stops displaying any image upon said printexecution signal, and all signals input through external operation arecanceled until said printing device completes making at least one sheetof print.
 12. An electronic still camera according to claim 10, whereinsaid photosensitive recording medium is an instant film containing aprocessing solution therein, and said electronic still camera furthercomprises developing rollers for advancing said instant film out of acamera body while developing said processing solution in said instantfilm as an image is recorded on said instant film by said printingdevice.
 13. An electronic still camera according to claim 11, whereinsaid photosensitive recording medium is an instant film containing aprocessing solution therein, and said electronic still camera furthercomprises developing rollers for advancing said instant film out of acamera body while developing said processing solution in said instantfilm as an image is recorded on said instant film by said printingdevice.
 14. An electronic still camera comprising a pack loading chamberfor loading a film pack containing a plurality of self-developing typeinstant films each having a pod containing a processing solution, animage sensor for photographing a subject image and outputting an imagesignal, a memory for storing image data obtained from said image signalthrough digital conversion, a printing head for exposing said instantfilm on the basis of image data of one frame read out from said memory,a head moving mechanism for moving said printing head along an exposuresurface of said instant film, a claw that engages with an edge of saidinstant film after exposure, and pushes said instant film toward an exitthat is formed through a camera body, developing rollers disposed nearsaid exit to nip said instant film as pushed by said claw and advancesaid instant film out of said exit, thereby to crush open said pod todevelop said processing solution inside said instant film, a developingand driving mechanism for driving said claw and said developing rollers,and a power source battery for supplying power to said image sensor,said head moving mechanism and said developing and driving mechanism,said electronic still camera is characterized in that said head movingmechanism and said developing and driving mechanism are located onopposite sides of said pack loading chamber.
 15. An electronic stillcamera according to claim 14, wherein said image sensor and said powersource battery are located outside said head moving mechanism or saiddeveloping and driving mechanism.
 16. An electronic still cameraaccording to claim 15, wherein a chamber for loading said instant filmis provided in the front side of said camera body.
 17. An electronicstill camera comprising: a taking lens mounted on a front side of abox-shaped camera body; an image sensor for photographing a subjectimage through said taking lens and outputting an image signal; a memoryfor storing image data obtained from said image signal through digitalconversion; an optical printer for exposing an instant film containing aprocessing solution therein in accordance with image data of one frameread out from said memory; a developing and driving device includingdeveloping rollers for developing said processing solution whileadvancing said instant film after exposure out of said camera body; andan operating section mounted on a back side of said camera body andoperated for controlling said optical printer; and a pack loading doormounted on a front face of said camera body, the pack loading door beingmounted so as to allow loading a film pack containing said instant filmfrom a front side of said camera body.
 18. An electronic still cameraaccording to claim 17, wherein an LCD panel is provided on the back sideof said camera body.
 19. An electronic still camera according to claim16, wherein an LCD panel is provided on the back side of said camerabody.